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'They Deserve The Right To Be Safe', Miami Beach Looking At Changes After Weekend Marred By Violence

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The sound of gunfire Sunday night on South Beach sent people ducking for cover and diving to the ground.

Sunday's shooting capped a weekend marred by in the city, something that has restaurant and business owners concerned.

"It's a big problem," said restaurant owner Mirko Cipriano. "The people start to get scared. They don't come to Miami Beach anymore because they think 'oh, this place is dangerous'."

The weekend began with several tourists being held up at gunpoint Friday, in broad daylight.

It ended with a separate incident Sunday night when shots were fired on a busy Washington Avenue. Two men and a woman were injured in the shooting.

"Our city is outraged," said Mayor Dan Gelber. "What we saw this weekend and, frankly, what we've been seeing for a while now is well beyond unacceptable."

The mayor says they are taking action.

"We are going to have dozens of more police officers enforcing every ordinance we have.  All the signs coming in here will let people know they are going to be arrested if they misbehave," he says.

The robbery suspect from Friday, identified as Tajani Shepard, has been arrested.

Police are still looking for Sunday's gunman, identified as 24-year-old Keshawn McLean.

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Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements said he's making changes to provide better security.

"We will be looking for different staffing plans and staffing components for our patrol division and our police department to see if we can go ahead and enhance their performance, in terms of being in all places at all times, as best as we can, in order to deal with the expectations our residents have," says Clements. "They deserve the right to be safe here and it's our job to make that happen, and, quite frankly, people like this walking around don't make it safe. We need to do a better job, and we're going to do a better job."

He also expressed frustration with people visiting who treat Miami Beach like a free-for-all.

"I think we have to change the narrative that's out there that's coming from people all over the country that when you come down here, anything and everything goes. Not anymore," Chief Clements says. "I think the men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department are tired of it. They're tired from the attitudes that they're getting when they go out there and try to keep, for lack of a better term, a lid on things. More importantly, they're stressed every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night about having to go out there and do the same thing over and over and over again."

Mayor Gelber says they will also be working on an enforcement plan for bars and restaurants with the upcoming spring break.

If you know McLean or know where he is, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477) or contact them online at crimestoppersmiami.com.

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